City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s–⁠1940s

City of Others: Asian Artists in Paris, 1920s–1940s is a groundbreaking exhibition that presents the experiences of Asian artists in Paris during a time period that is critical in the story of modernism, and modern art’s relationship to ‘the Other.’

Moving beyond the idea of Paris as an art world centre in this period, City of Others aims to re-read the art history of the city from Asian perspectives. During this peak period of artistic migration to Paris, there was a dynamic, cross-cultural exchange of aesthetics and ideas. This will be the first time the Paris experiences of artists from different parts of Asia are presented extensively together, resulting in new comparisons that offer an original and nuanced picture of Paris as a site for artistic exchange. This is in line with National Gallery Singapore’s interest in examining Southeast Asian perspectives and narratives in global art histories, as the leading institution in Southeast Asian and Singaporean modern and
contemporary art. While National Gallery Singapore’s collection and long-term exhibitions focus on the specific modernities of our region, City of Others also allows us to extend this regional perspective into a broader global history of modern art.

Presenting different zones of the art world of Paris in the early 20th century, City of Others explores how Asian artists lived, worked and exhibited. The exhibition offers a nuanced exploration of Asian artists’ experiences of the time, including: new research into the contribution of Asian artists and labourers to Art Déco; the presentation of Asian artists
at major exhibitions and salons in Paris; and the impact of colonial networks and exhibition platforms on modern artists from Southeast Asia. It will illuminate the complex networks of migrant artists, uncovering how these connections enabled artistic developments and career progression. By examining the reception of Asian art within national, cultural, and colonial contexts in Paris, the show reveals how artists navigated the expectations of the European audience while simultaneously re-engaging with their own cultural identities. A particular focus will be on the realm of the decorative arts, which served as an initial point of cultural exchange, highlighting the collaborations between Asian artisans and French designers that mutually shaped aesthetic sensibilities and artistic practices during this dynamic period.
The exhibition will feature more than 200 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, lacquerware, and decorative art, and a further 200 archives and historical images, with many presented for the first time in Singapore. Audiences can look forward to works by major Asian artists like Foujita Tsuguharu, Georgette Chen, Le Pho, Liu Kang, Xu Beihong
and Sanyu, alongside lesser-known figures.

A joint symposium by National Gallery Singapore and Musée Cernuschi will be held in Paris on 20 February 2025. It will feature a sharing of research by the two institutions, the curatorial concerns related to Asian artists developing their practice in Paris, and new research and conceptualisation generated by their respective exhibitions City of Others and
Trois artistes vietnamiens en France : Lê Phô, Mai-Thu et Vu Cao Dam (Pioneers of modern Vietnamese art in France).

This will be followed by an expanded symposium on Paris as a ‘City of Others’ on 16 and 17 August 2025 in Singapore.

Price: $25
Tickets: http://tickets.nationalgallery.sg/

Image: National Gallery Singapore